Security From Canada to Capitol Hill

Security Dialogue

First of all, I am grateful for the opportunity to address the recent security breach in Ottawa, Canada that occurred in the Capital Parliament Building. My sincere prayers go out to the family of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, the soldier violently killed as he stood post with honor.

After prudently listening to the media addressing this unprecedented breach in Canada, I pondered and came to the realization that the vast majority of the western society appeared to have forgotten the ambush that took place on Capitol Hill, 24 July 1998 at the attack occurred at visitor’s entrance at the X-ray screen / magnetometer public area. A gunman breached the House of Representative’s Chambers and fired shots instantly killing United Stated Capitol Police officer Jacob Chestnut. Fellow Protective Agent Detective John Gibson was able to return fire and stop the assailant before being mortally wounded. The detective later died in surgery at George Washington University Hospital.

Sixteen years and three months later Canada, a Constitutional Monarchy Country didn’t apply the lessons learned from that tragic day in Washington, DC. As a result of the devastating physical breach at the visitor entrance. A security panel recommended various security changes after in-depth vulnerability assessments were submitted to address corrective solutions. Congress provided monies totaling 621 million dollars to build a grand entrance center to minimize deadly security breaches at the gates of congress in the future. The Federal Law Enforcement Divisions and Protective Service Community provided vast input regarding the mass underground structure totaling 580,000 square feet, with a public seating capacity of 4,000, as well as boosting the largest café in Washington, DC.

In today’s dynamic security climate, it’s no longer good vs evil, right vs wrong or grey matter vs blurred lines. Having the ability to make concise recommendations based on pertinent data collection and obtaining essential facts in addition to making prudent threat assessment are vital elements to making sound policy. The protection of our nation and its citizens mandates a vast understanding of the broad field of National Security as it encompass virtually anything that one could imagine. Danger is present at each interval but a vigilant security system reduces the threat as needed. Diverse ideology, politic and personal agendas makes securing any environment problematic as potential crisis form daily covertly. It’s imperative that the security organizations work assiduously to prevent another 911 attack, Boston Marathon Bombing, Capitol Hill Shooting or most recent Ottawa Parliament deadly Breach.

True security derives at a price and the associated Opportunity Cost is confronted daily to wit: in order to gain something, we must give up something. Nevertheless, I argue Mathematical Modeling, Critical Theory Criminology, Big Data Analytics in addition to Actuary Computations will play a pivotal point in the enhancement of National Security and mitigate against security breaches in the future. Just remember when True Security isn’t available, lives are often lost. Let’s learn from our pass mistakes and negligence’s. Veritable security requires continuous improvement to insure freedom for our citizens, upward mobility for our children and liberty for the advancement of our nation. The effective application of Security Methodology via physical surveillance, virtual cloud assessments, advanced Law Enforcement Personnel, electronically and innumerable facial recognition technologies can make any given environment safer.

Reflecting on the duties of a Federal Protective Officer, I recognize that the vast majority of our society has no concept regarding the overall obligation, dedication, complex training, professionalism, discretion and sacrifice that are required of Protective Service Officers. It’s an elite, esteemed and respectful position within the law enforcement community.

Secondly, perhaps the media not noticing the dreadful similarity of the lone gunman assault on the Canada Parliament Halls and the United Stated Congressional visitor’s entrance in 1998, was due to the fact that most of the contemporary anchors from the major networks were mostly not engaged as news anchors, still in college or just starting their first job in 1998. Truthfully, they don’t have any meat in the game nor clearly comprehend what provisions were taken to prevent another deadly security breach on our Congressional Grounds. Some of the best security are never noticed by the public!